The Department of Antioquia (what you might consider a state) has an elected Governor who then appoints his cabinet members. Legislative Representatives are elected to represent various districts.

As the capitol of Antioquia, Medellin is the seat of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers of the department. It is the home of the Governor and the meeting place for the Departments Assembly.

In 1980, the Aburra Valley Metropolitan area was created, including the majority of towns located in the plains except Envigado. However, these towns preserve their autonomy and each one has its own mayor (alcalde) and town council elected by popular vote. The municipality of Medellin is divided into communes having their Community Action Council, and 5 small towns presided over by a mayor.

Medellin Seal
Alcalde de Medellin

Colombian Government:

Executive branch:chief of state: President Manuel Santos(since 7 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government:

Vice President:

elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four year term (eligible for a second term);

cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the three largest parties that supported President Santos election - the PSUN, PC, and CR - and independents

Election last held in May 2010) election results: President Manuel Santos 62% of the vote.

Legislative branch:bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four year terms) and;

The House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four year terms)

House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014)

elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014);

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight year terms);

Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight year terms);

Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties);

Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight year terms)

Political parties and leaders:

Colombian Conservative Party or PC [Julio MANZUR Abdala];

Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz];

Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo];

Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras];

Social National Unity Party or U Party [Carlos GARCIA Orjuela]

note: Colombia has 15 formally recognized political parties, and numerous unofficial parties that did not meet the vote threshold in the March 2010 legislative elections required for recognition